It's that time of year again. The calendar tells us we need to show all the men in our lives how much they mean to us.

We spend (much less than we know we should) time trying to figure out what the heck to get this year. Let's see... there's Dad, Hubbie, Grandpa, maybe Uncle Joe, and, oh my goodness - little Rob is a father now? We debate ties, tools, fancy stuff for the grill. Why is it so hard to just figure out something?

Wait a minute.

Does it need to be such a chore? Isn't this supposed to be a celebration of what they

mean to us?

So, I'm not going to tell you to buy the men you love gift certificates for massage. Of course, you could. And it would be a very thoughtful gift of something they might never have done for themselves.

Instead, I'm going to ask you to simply think about these guys. Take a few minutes to really think about why you love them. Why they are so important. How your life might be have been different without them.

And tell them.

Write them a note. It doesn't need to be a long letter. It doesn't need to be a mushy declaration of undying adoration. Simply tell them something about their presence in your life that has made it better. Think of a time when they really made a difference. Maybe it's how they've always had a hand to hold when you've needed it. Maybe it's how they kept the lecture to a minimum when you pulled that incredibly stupid stunt in school. Find a time when you simply appreciated them for being there. They will be touched. They may not be able to say it, but they will. After all, who doesn't like being told they're awesome?